Hybrid color synthesis for multistate reflective modular displays

ABSTRACT

A display device including a plurality of optical modulators and a plurality of filter elements on a reflective side of the plurality of optical modulators is provided. The plurality of optical modulators includes a first set of optical modulators and a second set of optical modulators. Each optical modulator of the plurality of optical modulators is configured to be selectively switched among at least a first state, a second state, and a third state. Each state has a different spectral reflectance. The plurality of filter elements includes a first set of filter elements corresponding to the first set of optical modulators and a second set of filter elements corresponding to the second set of optical modulators. The first set of filter elements has a different spectral transmittance than the second set of filter elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/699,542, filed Jan. 29, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The field of the invention relates to microelectromechanical systems(MEMS), and more particularly to displays comprising MEMS.

2. Description of the Related Art

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include micro mechanical elements,actuators, and electronics. Micromechanical elements may be createdusing deposition, etching, and/or other micromachining processes thatetch away parts of substrates and/or deposited material layers or thatadd layers to form electrical and electromechanical devices. One type ofMEMS device is called an interferometric modulator. As used herein, theterm interferometric modulator or interferometric light modulator refersto a device that selectively absorbs and/or reflects light using theprinciples of optical interference. In certain embodiments, aninterferometric modulator may comprise a pair of conductive plates, oneor both of which may be transparent and/or reflective in whole or partand capable of relative motion upon application of an appropriateelectrical signal. In a particular embodiment, one plate may comprise astationary layer deposited on a substrate and the other plate maycomprise a metallic membrane separated from the stationary layer by anair gap. As described herein in more detail, the position of one platein relation to another can change the optical interference of lightincident on the interferometric modulator. Such devices have a widerange of applications, and it would be beneficial in the art to utilizeand/or modify the characteristics of these types of devices so thattheir features can be exploited in improving existing products andcreating new products that have not yet been developed.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, a display device comprises a plurality ofoptical modulators and a plurality of filter elements on a reflectiveside of the plurality of optical modulators. The plurality of opticalmodulators comprises a first set of optical modulators and a second setof optical modulators. Each optical modulator of the plurality ofoptical modulators is configured to be selectively switched among atleast a first state, a second state, and a third state. Each state has adifferent spectral reflectance. The plurality of filter elementscomprises a first set of filter elements corresponding to the first setof optical modulators and a second set of filter elements correspondingto the second set of optical modulators. The first set of filterelements has a different spectral transmittance than the second set offilter elements.

In certain embodiments, a display device comprises first means foroptically modulating light between at least a first color, a secondcolor, and a third color, second means for optically modulating lightbetween the first color, the second color, and the third color, firstmeans for filtering light modulated by the first modulating means, andsecond means for filtering light modulated by the second modulatingmeans. The first filtering means has a different spectral transmittancethan the second filtering means.

In certain embodiments, a method of generating an image comprisesproviding a display device comprising a plurality of optical modulatorsand a filter on a reflective side of the plurality of opticalmodulators. The plurality of optical modulators comprises a first set ofoptical modulators and a second set of optical modulators. Each opticalmodulator of the plurality of optical modulators is configured to beselectively switched among at least a first state, a second state, and athird state. Each state has a different spectral reflectance. The filtercomprises a first set of filter elements corresponding to the first setof optical modulators and a second set of filter elements correspondingto the second set of optical modulators. The first set of filterelements has a different spectral transmittance than the second set offilter elements. The method further comprises directing light from alight source onto the display device and selectively switching theplurality of optical modulators between the states.

In certain embodiments, a method of manufacturing a display devicecomprises forming a plurality of optical modulators and forming aplurality of filter elements on a reflective side of the plurality ofoptical modulators. The plurality of optical modulators comprises afirst set of optical modulators and a second set of optical modulators.Each optical modulator of the plurality of optical modulators isconfigured to be selectively switched among at least a first state, asecond state, and a third state. Each state has a different spectralreflectance. The plurality of filter elements comprises a first set offilter elements corresponding to the first set of optical modulators anda second set of filter elements corresponding to the second set ofoptical modulators. The first set of filter elements has a differentspectral transmittance than the second set of filter elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting a portion of one embodiment of aninterferometric modulator display in which a movable reflective layer ofa first interferometric modulator is in a relaxed position and a movablereflective layer of a second interferometric modulator is in an actuatedposition.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic device incorporating a 3×3 interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of movable mirror position versus applied voltagefor one exemplary embodiment of an interferometric modulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a set of row and column voltages that maybe used to drive an interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 5A illustrates one exemplary frame of display data in the 3×3interferometric modulator display of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B illustrates one exemplary timing diagram for row and columnsignals that may be used to write the frame of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment ofa visual display device comprising a plurality of interferometricmodulators.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7C is a cross section of another alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7D is a cross section of yet another alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7E is a cross section of an additional alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIGS. 8A through 8C show schematic side cross-sectional views of anexample multi-state interferometric modulator.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a displaycomprising a plurality of interferometric modulators and one example ofa plurality of filter elements.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of reflectance spectra for a multi-stateinterferometric modulator.

FIG. 11 is a chart plotting the spectral transmittance of example filterelements versus wavelength.

FIGS. 12A through 12D illustrate further examples of pluralities offilter elements.

FIGS. 13A through 13D are exploded perspective views of an embodiment ofa display comprising pluralities of interferometric modulators invarious states and a plurality of filter elements.

FIGS. 14A through 14D are exploded perspective views of anotherembodiment of a display comprising pluralities of interferometricmodulators in various states and a plurality of filter elements.

FIGS. 15A through 15G are exploded perspective views of an embodiment ofa pair of interferometric modulators in various states and a pair ofcorresponding filter elements.

FIGS. 16A through 16F are exploded perspective views of anotherembodiment of a pair of interferometric modulators in various states anda pair of corresponding filter elements.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a projection display comprising aplurality of interferometric modulators and a plurality of filterelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is directed to certain specificembodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied ina multitude of different ways. In this description, reference is made tothe drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numeralsthroughout. As will be apparent from the following description, theembodiments may be implemented in any device that is configured todisplay an image, whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g.,still image), and whether textual or pictorial. More particularly, it iscontemplated that the embodiments may be implemented in or associatedwith a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobiletelephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-heldor portable computers, GPS receivers/navigators, cameras, MP3 players,camcorders, game consoles, wrist watches, clocks, calculators,television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, autodisplays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), cockpit controls and/ordisplays, display of camera views (e.g., display of a rear view camerain a vehicle), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs,projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aestheticstructures (e.g., display of images on a piece of jewelry). MEMS devicesof similar structure to those described herein can also be used innon-display applications such as in electronic switching devices.

Apparatuses are provided that can render color images from three primarycolors using two optical modulators by employing hybrid spatial-temporalcolor synthesis. Each optical modulator can produce three spectralreflectances and is paired with a filter element to produce one or twoprimary colors. A color pixel can produce three primary colors bycomprising an optical modulator and filter element that produces oneprimary color paired with an optical modulator and filter element thatproduces two other primary colors. Such an approach reduces the numberof optical modulators (or “sub-pixels”) within a pixel from three totwo, which can increase resolution and reduce fixed-pattern noise whilemaintaining the same number of column drivers as a conventional RGBdisplay. Alternatively, the number of column drivers may be reducedwhile maintaining the same resolution as a conventional RGB display. Insome embodiments, the size of the optical modulators and theircorresponding filter elements may be optimized to account for theluminance of different primary colors. In embodiments in which theoptical modulators comprise interferometric modulators rather thannarrowband illuminants, blanking fields are advantageously eliminated,which can increases bandwidth. Projection devices comprising suchmodulators and filters may advantageously eliminate a color wheelbecause the optical modulators can perform color separation. Methods ofgenerating an image using such apparatuses are also provided.

One interferometric modulator display embodiment comprising aninterferometric MEMS display element is illustrated in FIG. 1. In thesedevices, the pixels are in either a bright or dark state. In the bright(“on” or “open”) state, the display element reflects a large portion ofincident visible light to a user. When in the dark (“off” or “closed”)state, the display element reflects little incident visible light to theuser. Depending on the embodiment, the light reflectance properties ofthe “on” and “off” states may be reversed. MEMS pixels can be configuredto reflect predominantly at selected colors, allowing for a colordisplay in addition to black and white.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting two adjacent pixels in a series ofpixels of a visual display, wherein each pixel comprises a MEMSinterferometric modulator. In some embodiments, an interferometricmodulator display comprises a row/column array of these interferometricmodulators. Each interferometric modulator includes a pair of reflectivelayers positioned at a variable and controllable distance from eachother to form a resonant optical gap with at least one variabledimension. In one embodiment, one of the reflective layers may be movedbetween two positions. In the first position, referred to herein as therelaxed position, the movable reflective layer is positioned at arelatively large distance from a fixed partially reflective layer. Inthe second position, referred to herein as the actuated position, themovable reflective layer is positioned more closely adjacent to thepartially reflective layer. Incident light that reflects from the twolayers interferes constructively or destructively depending on theposition of the movable reflective layer, producing either an overallreflective or non-reflective state for each pixel.

The depicted portion of the pixel array in FIG. 1 includes two adjacentinterferometric modulators 12 a and 12 b. In the interferometricmodulator 12 a on the left, a movable reflective layer 14 a isillustrated in a relaxed position at a predetermined distance from anoptical stack 16 a, which includes a partially reflective layer. In theinterferometric modulator 12 b on the right, the movable reflectivelayer 14 b is illustrated in an actuated position adjacent to theoptical stack 16 b.

The optical stacks 16 a and 16 b (collectively referred to as opticalstack 16), as referenced herein, typically comprise several fusedlayers, which can include an electrode layer, such as indium tin oxide(ITO), a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and a transparentdielectric. The optical stack 16 is thus electrically conductive,partially transparent, and partially reflective, and may be fabricated,for example, by depositing one or more of the above layers onto atransparent substrate 20. The partially reflective layer can be formedfrom a variety of materials that are partially reflective such asvarious metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics. The partiallyreflective layer can be formed of one or more layers of materials, andeach of the layers can be formed of a single material or a combinationof materials.

In some embodiments, the layers of the optical stack 16 are patternedinto parallel strips, and may form row electrodes in a display device asdescribed further below. The movable reflective layers 14 a, 14 b may beformed as a series of parallel strips of a deposited metal layer orlayers (orthogonal to the row electrodes of 16 a, 16 b) deposited on topof posts 18 and an intervening sacrificial material deposited betweenthe posts 18. When the sacrificial material is etched away, the movablereflective layers 14 a, 14 b are separated from the optical stacks 16 a,16 b by a defined gap 19. A highly conductive and reflective materialsuch as aluminum may be used for the reflective layers 14, and thesestrips may form column electrodes in a display device.

With no applied voltage, the gap 19 remains between the movablereflective layer 14 a and optical stack 16 a, with the movablereflective layer 14 a in a mechanically relaxed state, as illustrated bythe pixel 12 a in FIG. 1. However, when a potential difference isapplied to a selected row and column, the capacitor formed at theintersection of the row and column electrodes at the corresponding pixelbecomes charged, and electrostatic forces pull the electrodes together.If the voltage is high enough, the movable reflective layer 14 isdeformed and is forced against the optical stack 16. A dielectric layer(not illustrated in this Figure) within the optical stack 16 may preventshorting and control the separation distance between layers 14 and 16,as illustrated by pixel 12 b on the right in FIG. 1. The behavior is thesame regardless of the polarity of the applied potential difference. Inthis way, row/column actuation that can control the reflective vs.non-reflective pixel states is analogous in many ways to that used inconventional LCD and other display technologies.

FIGS. 2 through 5B illustrate one exemplary process and system for usingan array of interferometric modulators in a display application.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic device that may incorporate aspects of the invention. In theexemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes a processor 21which may be any general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessorsuch as an ARM, Pentium®, Pentium II®, Pentium III®, Pentium IV®,Pentium® Pro, an 8051, a MIPS®, a Power PC®, an ALPHA®, or any specialpurpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor,microcontroller, or a programmable gate array. As is conventional in theart, the processor 21 may be configured to execute one or more softwaremodules. In addition to executing an operating system, the processor maybe configured to execute one or more software applications, including aweb browser, a telephone application, an email program, or any othersoftware application.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 is also configured to communicatewith an array driver 22. In one embodiment, the array driver 22 includesa row driver circuit 24 and a column driver circuit 26 that providesignals to a display array or panel 30. The cross section of the arrayillustrated in FIG. 1 is shown by the lines 1-1 in FIG. 2. For MEMSinterferometric modulators, the row/column actuation protocol may takeadvantage of a hysteresis property of these devices illustrated in FIG.3. It may require, for example, a 10 volt potential difference to causea movable layer to deform from the relaxed state to the actuated state.However, when the voltage is reduced from that value, the movable layermaintains its state as the voltage drops back below 10 volts. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the movable layer does not relaxcompletely until the voltage drops below 2 volts. Thus, there exists awindow of applied voltage, about 3 to 7 V in the example illustrated inFIG. 3, within which the device is stable in either the relaxed oractuated state. This is referred to herein as the “hysteresis window” or“stability window.” For a display array having the hysteresischaracteristics of FIG. 3, the row/column actuation protocol can bedesigned such that during row strobing, pixels in the strobed row thatare to be actuated are exposed to a voltage difference of about 10volts, and pixels that are to be relaxed are exposed to a voltagedifference of close to zero volts. After the strobe, the pixels areexposed to a steady state voltage difference of about 5 volts such thatthey remain in whatever state the row strobe put them in. After beingwritten, each pixel sees a potential difference within the “stabilitywindow” of 3-7 volts in this example. This feature makes the pixeldesign illustrated in FIG. 1 stable under the same applied voltageconditions in either an actuated or relaxed pre-existing state. Sinceeach pixel of the interferometric modulator, whether in the actuated orrelaxed state, is essentially a capacitor formed by the fixed and movingreflective layers, this stable state can be held at a voltage within thehysteresis window with almost no power dissipation. Essentially nocurrent flows into the pixel if the applied potential is fixed.

In typical applications, a display frame may be created by asserting theset of column electrodes in accordance with the desired set of actuatedpixels in the first row. A row pulse is then applied to the row 1electrode, actuating the pixels corresponding to the asserted columnlines. The asserted set of column electrodes is then changed tocorrespond to the desired set of actuated pixels in the second row. Apulse is then applied to the row 2 electrode, actuating the appropriatepixels in row 2 in accordance with the asserted column electrodes. Therow 1 pixels are unaffected by the row 2 pulse, and remain in the statethey were set to during the row 1 pulse. This may be repeated for theentire series of rows in a sequential fashion to produce the frame.Generally, the frames are refreshed and/or updated with new display databy continually repeating this process at some desired number of framesper second. A wide variety of protocols for driving row and columnelectrodes of pixel arrays to produce display frames are also well knownand may be used in conjunction with the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B illustrate one possible actuation protocol forcreating a display frame on the 3×3 array of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustratesa possible set of column and row voltage levels that may be used forpixels exhibiting the hysteresis curves of FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4embodiment, actuating a pixel involves setting the appropriate column to−V_(bias), and the appropriate row to +ΔV, which may correspond to −5volts and +5 volts, respectively. Relaxing the pixel is accomplished bysetting the appropriate column to +V_(bias), and the appropriate row tothe same +ΔV, producing a zero volt potential difference across thepixel. In those rows where the row voltage is held at zero volts, thepixels are stable in whatever state they were originally in, regardlessof whether the column is at +V_(bias), or −V_(bias). As is alsoillustrated in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that voltages of oppositepolarity than those described above can be used, e.g., actuating a pixelcan involve setting the appropriate column to +V_(bias), and theappropriate row to −ΔV. In this embodiment, releasing the pixel isaccomplished by setting the appropriate column to −V_(bias), and theappropriate row to the same −ΔV, producing a zero volt potentialdifference across the pixel.

FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a series of row and column signalsapplied to the 3×3 array of FIG. 2 which will result in the displayarrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, where actuated pixels arenon-reflective. Prior to writing the frame illustrated in FIG. 5A, thepixels can be in any state, and in this example, all the rows are at 0volts, and all the columns are at +5 volts. With these applied voltages,all pixels are stable in their existing actuated or relaxed states.

In the FIG. 5A frame, pixels (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) areactuated. To accomplish this, during a “line time” for row 1, columns 1and 2 are set to −5 volts, and column 3 is set to +5 volts. This doesnot change the state of any pixels, because all the pixels remain in the3-7 volt stability window. Row 1 is then strobed with a pulse that goesfrom 0, up to 5 volts, and back to zero. This actuates the (1,1) and(1,2) pixels and relaxes the (1,3) pixel. No other pixels in the arrayare affected. To set row 2 as desired, column 2 is set to −5 volts, andcolumns 1 and 3 are set to +5 volts. The same strobe applied to row 2will then actuate pixel (2,2) and relax pixels (2,1) and (2,3). Again,no other pixels of the array are affected. Row 3 is similarly set bysetting columns 2 and 3 to −5 volts, and column 1 to +5 volts. The row 3strobe sets the row 3 pixels as shown in FIG. 5A. After writing theframe, the row potentials are zero, and the column potentials can remainat either +5 or −5 volts, and the display is then stable in thearrangement of FIG. 5A. It will be appreciated that the same procedurecan be employed for arrays of dozens or hundreds of rows and columns. Itwill also be appreciated that the timing, sequence, and levels ofvoltages used to perform row and column actuation can be varied widelywithin the general principles outlined above, and the above example isexemplary only, and any actuation voltage method can be used with thesystems and methods described herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment ofa display device 40. The display device 40 can be, for example, acellular or mobile telephone. However, the same components of displaydevice 40 or slight variations thereof are also illustrative of varioustypes of display devices such as televisions and portable media players.

The display device 40 includes a housing 41, a display 30, an antenna43, a speaker 45, an input device 48, and a microphone 46. The housing41 is generally formed from any of a variety of manufacturing processesas are well known to those of skill in the art, including injectionmolding and vacuum forming. In addition, the housing 41 may be made fromany of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic,metal, glass, rubber, and ceramic, or a combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the housing 41 includes removable portions (not shown) thatmay be interchanged with other removable portions of different color, orcontaining different logos, pictures, or symbols.

The display 30 of exemplary display device 40 may be any of a variety ofdisplays, including a bi-stable display, as described herein. In otherembodiments, the display 30 includes a flat-panel display, such asplasma, EL, OLED, STN LCD, or TFT LCD as described above, or anon-flat-panel display, such as a CRT or other tube device, as is wellknown to those of skill in the art. However, for purposes of describingthe present embodiment, the display 30 includes an interferometricmodulator display, as described herein.

The components of one embodiment of exemplary display device 40 areschematically illustrated in FIG. 6B. The illustrated exemplary displaydevice 40 includes a housing 41 and can include additional components atleast partially enclosed therein. For example, in one embodiment, theexemplary display device 40 includes a network interface 27 thatincludes an antenna 43, which is coupled to a transceiver 47. Thetransceiver 47 is connected to a processor 21, which is connected toconditioning hardware 52. The conditioning hardware 52 may be configuredto condition a signal (e.g., filter a signal). The conditioning hardware52 is connected to a speaker 45 and a microphone 46. The processor 21 isalso connected to an input device 48 and a driver controller 29. Thedriver controller 29 is coupled to a frame buffer 28 and to an arraydriver 22, which in turn is coupled to a display array 30. A powersupply 50 provides power to all components as required by the particularexemplary display device 40 design.

The network interface 27 includes the antenna 43 and the transceiver 47so that the exemplary display device 40 can communicate with one or moredevices over a network. In one embodiment, the network interface 27 mayalso have some processing capabilities to relieve requirements of theprocessor 21. The antenna 43 is any antenna known to those of skill inthe art for transmitting and receiving signals. In one embodiment, theantenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the IEEE 802.11standard, including IEEE 802.11(a), (b), or (g). In another embodiment,the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the BLUETOOTHstandard. In the case of a cellular telephone, the antenna is designedto receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS, or other known signals that are used tocommunicate within a wireless cell phone network. The transceiver 47pre-processes the signals received from the antenna 43 so that they maybe received by and further manipulated by the processor 21. Thetransceiver 47 also processes signals received from the processor 21 sothat they may be transmitted from the exemplary display device 40 viathe antenna 43.

In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 47 can be replaced by areceiver. In yet another alternative embodiment, network interface 27can be replaced by an image source, which can store or generate imagedata to be sent to the processor 21. For example, the image source canbe a digital video disc (DVD) or a hard-disc drive that contains imagedata, or a software module that generates image data.

Processor 21 generally controls the overall operation of the exemplarydisplay device 40. The processor 21 receives data, such as compressedimage data from the network interface 27 or an image source, andprocesses the data into raw image data or into a format that is readilyprocessed into raw image data. The processor 21 then sends the processeddata to the driver controller 29 or to frame buffer 28 for storage. Rawdata typically refers to the information that identifies the imagecharacteristics at each location within an image. For example, suchimage characteristics can include color, saturation, and gray-scalelevel.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 includes a microcontroller, CPU, orlogic unit to control operation of the exemplary display device 40.Conditioning hardware 52 generally includes amplifiers and filters fortransmitting signals to the speaker 45, and for receiving signals fromthe microphone 46. Conditioning hardware 52 may be discrete componentswithin the exemplary display device 40, or may be incorporated withinthe processor 21 or other components.

The driver controller 29 takes the raw image data generated by theprocessor 21 either directly from the processor 21 or from the framebuffer 28 and reformats the raw image data appropriately for high speedtransmission to the array driver 22. Specifically, the driver controller29 reformats the raw image data into a data flow having a raster-likeformat, such that it has a time order suitable for scanning across thedisplay array 30. Then the driver controller 29 sends the formattedinformation to the array driver 22. Although a driver controller 29,such as a LCD controller, is often associated with the system processor21 as a stand-alone Integrated Circuit (IC), such controllers may beimplemented in many ways. They may be embedded in the processor 21 ashardware, embedded in the processor 21 as software, or fully integratedin hardware with the array driver 22.

Typically, the array driver 22 receives the formatted information fromthe driver controller 29 and reformats the video data into a parallelset of waveforms that are applied many times per second to the hundredsand sometimes thousands of leads coming from the display's x-y matrix ofpixels.

In one embodiment, the driver controller 29, array driver 22, anddisplay array 30 are appropriate for any of the types of displaysdescribed herein. For example, in one embodiment, driver controller 29is a conventional display controller or a bi-stable display controller(e.g., an interferometric modulator controller). In another embodiment,array driver 22 is a conventional driver or a bi-stable display driver(e.g., an interferometric modulator display). In one embodiment, adriver controller 29 is integrated with the array driver 22. Such anembodiment is common in highly integrated systems such as cellularphones, watches, and other small area displays. In yet anotherembodiment, display array 30 is a typical display array or a bi-stabledisplay array (e.g., a display including an array of interferometricmodulators).

The input device 48 allows a user to control the operation of theexemplary display device 40. In one embodiment, input device 48 includesa keypad, such as a QWERTY keyboard or a telephone keypad, a button, aswitch, a touch-sensitive screen, or a pressure- or heat-sensitivemembrane. In one embodiment, the microphone 46 is an input device forthe exemplary display device 40. When the microphone 46 is used to inputdata to the device, voice commands may be provided by a user forcontrolling operations of the exemplary display device 40.

Power supply 50 can include a variety of energy storage devices as arewell known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, power supply 50is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a lithiumion battery. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is a renewableenergy source, a capacitor, or a solar cell including a plastic solarcell, and solar-cell paint. In another embodiment, power supply 50 isconfigured to receive power from a wall outlet.

In some embodiments, control programmability resides, as describedabove, in a driver controller which can be located in several places inthe electronic display system. In some embodiments, controlprogrammability resides in the array driver 22. Those of skill in theart will recognize that the above-described optimizations may beimplemented in any number of hardware and/or software components and invarious configurations.

The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operatein accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. Forexample, FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate five different embodiments of themovable reflective layer 14 and its supporting structures. FIG. 7A is across section of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where a strip of metalmaterial 14 is deposited on orthogonally extending supports 18. In FIG.7B, the moveable reflective layer 14 is attached to supports at thecorners only, on tethers 32. In FIG. 7C, the moveable reflective layer14 is suspended from a deformable layer 34, which may comprise aflexible metal. The deformable layer 34 connects, directly orindirectly, to the substrate 20 around the perimeter of the deformablelayer 34. These connections are herein referred to as support posts. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 7D has support post plugs 42 upon whichthe deformable layer 34 rests. The movable reflective layer 14 remainssuspended over the gap, as in FIGS. 7A-7C, but the deformable layer 34does not form the support posts by filling holes between the deformablelayer 34 and the optical stack 16. Rather, the support posts are formedof a planarization material, which is used to form support post plugs42. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7E is based on the embodimentshown in FIG. 7D, but may also be adapted to work with any of theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, as well as additionalembodiments not shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7E, an extralayer of metal or other conductive material has been used to form a busstructure 44. This allows signal routing along the back of theinterferometric modulators, eliminating a number of electrodes that mayotherwise have had to be formed on the substrate 20.

In embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 7, the interferometricmodulators function as direct-view devices, in which images are viewedfrom the front side of the transparent substrate 20, the side oppositeto that upon which the modulator is arranged. In these embodiments, thereflective layer 14 optically shields the portions of theinterferometric modulator on the side of the reflective layer oppositethe substrate 20, including the deformable layer 34. This allows theshielded areas to be configured and operated upon without negativelyaffecting the image quality. Such shielding allows the bus structure 44in FIG. 7E, which provides the ability to separate the opticalproperties of the modulator from the electromechanical properties of themodulator, such as addressing and the movements that result from thataddressing. This separable modulator architecture allows the structuraldesign and materials used for the electromechanical aspects and theoptical aspects of the modulator to be selected and to functionindependently of each other. Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS.7C-7E have additional benefits deriving from the decoupling of theoptical properties of the reflective layer 14 from its mechanicalproperties, which are carried out by the deformable layer 34. Thisallows the structural design and materials used for the reflective layer14 to be optimized with respect to the optical properties, and thestructural design and materials used for the deformable layer 34 to beoptimized with respect to desired mechanical properties.

A common problem for all color displays, regardless of whether they areof the self-luminous type or the non-self-luminous type, is thesynthesis of a full-color image from a limited set of primary colors.Several approaches to color synthesis have traditionally been employedfor electronic displays. The most successful of these conform to theprinciples of additive color mixture and include optical superposition,spatial color synthesis, and temporal color synthesis.

Direct optical superposition of three primary color images is aneffective and commonly used method in projection display systems, but isnot readily amenable to most direct-view color display technologies.Spatial color synthesis has by far been the most successful method ofcolor synthesis and remains the foundation of modern color displaytechnology in devices like cathode ray tubes (CRT) and liquid crystaldisplays (LCD). Spatial color synthesis mixes sub-pixels of three ormore primary colors (typically red (R), green (G), and blue (B)) inclose proximity to generate a full spectrum. However, spatial colorsynthesis has two significant limitations that reduce image quality anddisplay efficiency.

First, potential display resolution is sacrificed because the use ofavailable spatial area for color synthesis reduces the spatial imagingpotential of the display. Spatial color synthesis requires highsub-pixel density because the primary color elements must be encompassedwithin spatial integration zones of the human visual system (HVS). Ifthe elements (e.g., sub-pixels) are too large, complete color synthesiswill fail and color fringes will be apparent in the image. As such, theuse of available spatial area for color synthesis reduces the spatialimaging potential for the display. In general, the use of RGB spatialmosaics to synthesize a full-color gamut results in a sacrifice ofapproximately ⅔ of the resolution potential of the display to colorsynthesis. Display area allocated to blue sub-pixels is especiallywasteful since blue sub-pixels contribute little to luminance andshort-wavelengths are processed only at a very low spatial resolution bythe HVS.

Second, the mosaic of primary color sub-pixels, particularly due to bluesub-pixel elements, produces fixed-pattern noise. Principal sources ofhigh fixed-pattern noise in some mosaics are low-luminance bluesub-pixels (or blue stripes in the case of commonly-used stripemosaics), which typically account for only about 8% of the luminance ofa displayed white field and therefore appear as dark regions in arelatively bright surrounding. If the green, red, and blue sub-pixelregions have the same radiance in the visible spectrum, then the greenregions will appear the brightest of the three because the HVS luminousefficiency function peaks in the green region of the spectrum.Similarly, due to the HVS luminous efficiency, the red regions willappear less bright and the blue regions will exhibit an even furtherreduction in brightness. If luminance is computed from weighted valuesof R, G, and B, the weighting coefficient for G will be large (e.g.,between about 0.55 and 0.8), the weighting coefficient for R will beintermediate (e.g., between about 0.15 and 0.35), and the weightingcoefficient for B will be small (e.g., between about 0.05 and 0.15).

Temporal color (or “frame-sequential” or “field-sequential”) synthesisavoids the loss of spatial resolution inherent to spatial colorsynthesis and does not produce fixed-pattern noise. Unlike spatial colorsynthesis, temporal color synthesis does not rely on the integration ofspatially separated primary color sub-pixels. Instead, primary colorpixels are imaged sequentially in time at the same retinal position andtemporally integrated to synthesize a full-color spectrum (assuming nopositional shifts due to eye and/or head movements). This temporal colorapproach may be accomplished in various ways, including the sequentialactivation of R, G, and B emissive sources or the passing broadbandlight through three primary color filters (e.g., R, G, and B or yellow(Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M)) that can be selectively activated.Because the primary color components are all imaged to the same spatiallocation and there is no spatial mosaic, temporal color synthesisadvantageously avoids the loss of spatial resolution. Additionally,since there is no mosaic, temporal color synthesis advantageously doesnot produce fixed-pattern noise. However, two important limitations oftemporal color synthesis constrain the efficacy of displays employingtemporal color synthesis.

First, although temporal color synthesis produces effective additivecolor mixtures, luminance differences between time-varying componentscan produce observable luminance flicker. Because the individual primarycolors' fields are only present for one third of the total displayviewing period, temporal color synthesis displays require a high systembandwidth in order to produce a full-color image at a refresh rate highenough to minimize observable flicker. Even with high system bandwidthsand full-color frame refresh rates equivalent to monochromatic orspatial color synthesis displays (i.e., color field rates of three timesthe refresh rates of spatial color synthesis displays), temporal colorsynthesis displays are still prone to image flicker due to the residualluminance modulation existing between sequential color image fields.

Second, an even more difficult limitation results from relative movementbetween the displayed image and the viewer's retina, whether the motionarises from the image or from the viewer's head and/or eye movements. Ineither case, the time-varying color components are no longer imaged onthe same retinal region, and the observer experiences what has come tobe known as “color break-up” or “the rainbow effect.” Avoiding colorbreak-up for RGB temporal color synthesis displays in the presence oflarge, high-velocity saccadic eye movements generally requires refreshfrequencies well in excess of those needed to avoid flicker, whichtypically entail color field rates in the range of 360 to 480 fields persecond, and can easily exceed 1,000 fields per second when the displayluminance and contrast are high. These high field rates impose severebandwidth limitations on temporal color synthesis displays, as well astheir drive electronics, and make the temporal isolation of primarycolor image fields very difficult.

Image quality has been a driving force behind the evolution of displaytechnology. In all major market segments, the momentum toward higherdisplay resolution and enhanced color quality is inescapable. In turn,this has exposed the limitations of both spatial color synthesis andtemporal color synthesis, and raises the question as to whether eithermethod for synthesizing color can alone fully satisfy theever-increasing demands on display image quality. New approaches tocolor synthesis may sustain the evolution of display technology.

Recognizing the limitations of traditional methods for synthesizingcolor in electronic displays, a new hybrid spatial-temporal method hasrecently been proposed which distributes the color synthesis functionacross both the spatial and temporal domains. One embodiment of thismethod has been proposed for transmissive LCDs. Hybrid spatial-temporalcolor synthesis distributes the color synthesis function across both thespatial and temporal domains. The general approach reduces the number ofprimary color sub-pixels from three to two and produces the thirdprimary color by temporal synthesis. Two temporally alternatingilluminants with different spectral power distributions are typicallyused, and emit light at through both of the two sub-pixels, each havinga different corresponding color selection filter. For example, yellowand blue illuminants may be combined with an LCD panel having a mosaicof magenta and cyan color filters. When the yellow illuminant is turnedon during one temporal field, the display output in an activated cyansub-pixel will be green because the cyan color filter transmits thegreen segment of the yellow spectral light distribution and the displayoutput in an activated magenta sub-pixel will be red because the magentacolor filter transmits the red segment of the yellow spectral lightdistribution. When the blue illuminant is turned on during an adjacenttemporal field, the display output in activated cyan and magentasub-pixels will be blue because both the cyan and magenta color filterstransmit the same short-wavelength spectral region of the blueilluminant.

Hybrid spatial-temporal color synthesis can provide an effective spatialresolution increase of up to three times along the horizontal andvertical dimensions, along with vanishingly low levels of fixed-patternnoise, when using the same number of horizontal sub-pixels and columndrivers as a full-color display utilizing an RGB vertical stripe pixelmosaic and spatial color synthesis. Alternatively, hybridspatial-temporal color synthesis can be used with reduced pixel densityand column drivers to provide comparable levels of effective resolution.Such an approach can retain reduced levels of fixed-pattern noise andcan provide improved display efficiency (via increased pixel apertureratios) while potentially reducing costs. However, a major drawback tousing hybrid spatial-temporal color synthesis for LCDs is thesimultaneous illumination of all sub-pixels by each illuminant in eachfield.

In order to produce some colors in LCDs, it is necessary to write ablanking field between one temporal field and second adjacent temporalfield. For example, creating cyan from red, green, and blue is usuallyaccomplished by combining green and blue. In order to create green andblue in the above example LCD, the yellow illuminant would be turned on,thereby creating green in an activated cyan sub-pixel, then a blankingfield would be written to ensure that no residual green remained in thesub-pixel. The blue illuminant would then be turned on, thereby creatingblue in an activated cyan sub-pixel. The temporal combination of greenand blue within the same pixel creates cyan in an observer's eyes. Asecond blanking field would be written before the next color is createdin order to ensure that no residual blue remained in the sub-pixel.These blanking fields take time, and thus reduce the throughput of LCDs.A LCD with blanking fields requires increased frequencies to createsequential colors in the same period, again imposing severe bandwidthrequirements and/or flicker. Moreover, the power provided to the LCDlight sources during the non-blanking fields is typically increased tocompensate for the lack of light being emitted during the blankingfields, disadvantageously increasing the LCD's power consumption.

Interferometric modulator technology poses unique challenges forgenerating full-color displays (i.e., displays in which three or moreprimary colors render color images). These challenges arise from thefollowing operational characteristics: the device is a reflectivespatial light modulator with constraints on the reflectance spectrum ateach sub-pixel element; the spatial structure and density of thesub-pixel array are limited by design rules and timing-based addressinglimits; the bi-stable and binary nature of pixel operation generallyutilizes the synthesis of gray-scale levels via spatial and/or temporalcolor synthesis; and high pixel density interferometric modulatordevices will likely be limited to relatively low temporal frame ratesdue to fundamental operational constraints and the need for high levelsof synthesis for both grayscale and color.

Along with the unique challenges posed by the interferometric modulatortechnology for full-color displays are great opportunities offered bythe unique modes of operation of the device. In particular, thecapability to switch between two or more spectral reflectance functionsat a sub-pixel level provides significant flexibility in methods ofcolor synthesis for full-color interferometric modulator displays.

Embodiments of interferometric modulators described herein operate inone or more reflective states and a non-reflective (e.g., black) state.In certain embodiments, each reflective state produces white light orlight of a color determined by the distance between the reflective layer14 and the optical stack 16 when the modulator 12 is in a reflectivestate. In other embodiments, for example embodiments disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,986,796, the reflective layer 14 may be positioned at a rangeof positions relative to the optical stack 16 to vary the size of thecavity 19, and thus the color of the reflected light.

The interferometric modulator 12 includes an optical cavity 19 formedbetween the reflective layer 14 and the optical stack 16. The effectiveoptical path length, L, of the optical cavity 19 determines the resonantwavelength, λ, of the optical cavity 19 and thus of the interferometricmodulator 12. In certain embodiments, the effective optical path length,L, is substantially equal to the distance between the reflective layer14 and the optical stack 16. In certain embodiments, white light may beproduced by having an effective optical path length, L, of less thanabout 100 Å (10 nm). The resonant wavelength, λ, of the interferometricmodulator 12 generally corresponds to the perceived color of lightreflected by the interferometric modulator 12, which in certainembodiments is described by Equation 1, where N is an integer.

$\begin{matrix}{L = {\frac{1}{2} \cdot N \cdot \lambda}} & \left( {{Eqn}.\mspace{14mu} 1} \right)\end{matrix}$

A selected resonant wavelength, λ, is thus reflected by interferometricmodulators 12 having effective optical path lengths, L, of 0.5λ (N=1), λ(N=2), 1.5λ (N=3), etc. The integer N may be referred to as the “order”of interference of the reflected light. As used herein, the order of aninterferometric modulator also refers to the order N of light reflectedby the interferometric modulator when the reflective layer 14 is in atleast one position. For example, a first order (N=1) red interferometricmodulator may have an effective optical path length, L, of about 325 nm,corresponding to a wavelength, λ, of about 650 nm. Accordingly, a secondorder (N=2) red interferometric modulator may have an effective opticalpath length, L, of about 650 nm. A list of examples of wavelength rangesfor some common colors used in interferometric modulator displays areshown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Color Wavelength (nm) Violet 380-420 Indigo 420-440 Blue 440-500Cyan 500-520 Green 520-565 Yellow 565-590 Orange 590-625 Red 625-740

When the cavity 19 comprises a fluid having an index of refraction ofapproximately 1 (e.g., air), the effective optical path length, L, issubstantially equal to the distance between the reflective layer 14 andthe optical stack 16. When the cavity 19 comprises a fluid having anindex of refraction of greater than 1, the effective optical pathlength, L, may be different from the distance between the reflectivelayer 14 and the optical stack 16. In embodiments in which the opticalstack 16 comprises an insulating layer, the effective optical pathlength, L, is affected by the thickness and index of refraction of theinsulating layer such that the effective optical path length, L, isdifferent from the distance between the reflective layer 14 and theoptical stack 16. In certain embodiments, the distance between thereflective layer 14 and the optical stack 16 is selected to compensatefor the fluid in the cavity 19 and/or an insulating layer in the opticalstack 16 by modifying the thickness of a sacrificial material disposedbetween the reflective layer 14 and the optical stack 16 duringfabrication of the interferometric modulator 12.

Generally, higher order modulators reflect light over a narrower rangeof wavelengths, and thus produce colored light that is more saturated.It will be appreciated that higher order modulators generally utilizelarger distances between the reflective layer 14 and the optical stack16. Additionally, because higher order modulators reflect a narrowerrange of wavelengths, the number of photons reflected is reduced and thedisplay is less bright.

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded schematic view of a display device 90 thatcan use spatial-temporal color synthesis. The display device 90comprises a plurality of optical modulators (e.g., interferometricmodulators 91) and a plurality of filter elements 95. The plurality ofoptical modulators 91 comprises a first set of optical modulators 92 anda second set of optical modulators 94. The first set of opticalmodulators 92 may be the same as or different from the second set ofoptical modulators 94. For example, in certain embodiments forming thefirst set of optical modulators comprises a first set of process stepsand forming the second set of optical modulators comprises a second setof process steps, and the second set of steps comprises the first set ofsteps. Each optical modulator 91 is configured to be selectivelyswitched among at least a first state, a second state, and a thirdstate, each state having a different spectral reflectance. The pluralityof filter elements 95 is disposed on a reflective side of the pluralityof optical modulators 91. The plurality of filter elements 95 comprisesa first set of filter elements 96 corresponding to the first set ofoptical modulators 92 and a second set of filter elements 98corresponding to the second set of optical modulators 94. The first setof filter elements 96 has a different spectral transmittance than thesecond set of filter elements 98. As used herein, the term“corresponding” is a broad term including, but not limited to, beingdisposed substantially within the optical path, for example having thesame size, shape, orientation, and position within the optical path.

FIGS. 8A through 8C show schematic side cross-sectional views of anexample multi-state interferometric modulator 80 compatible with certainembodiments described herein. The modulator 80 includes a movablereflective layer 14 that is positioned between an electrode in theoptical stack 16 and an electrode in a bus stack 82, and is movablebetween a relaxed state, a first actuated state, and a second actuatedstate. Other configurations of multi-state interferometric modulatorsare also compatible with certain embodiments described herein.

In the example modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, the bus stack 82 maybe formed on posts 81 that are formed on the side of the reflectivelayer 14 opposite the posts 18. The bus stack 82, as referenced herein,typically comprises several fused layers, which can include a conductiveelectrode layer, such as aluminum, and an insulating dielectric layer.In certain preferred embodiments, the bus stack 82 comprises aninsulating layer between the reflective layer 14 and the electrode inthe bus stack 82 in order to prevent electrical shorts betweenconductive portions of the reflective layer 14 and the electrode in thebus stack 82. The bus stack 82 may be fabricated, for example, bydepositing one or more of the above layers over a sacrificial layerformed on top of the reflective layer 14.

The modulator 80 can produce a first spectral reflectance in a firststate, a second spectral reflectance in a second state, and a thirdspectral reflectance in a third state. FIG. 8A illustrates the modulator80 in a relaxed state with the reflective layer 14 distal to the opticalstack 16 and the bus stack 82. The relaxed state may comprise the first,second, or third state. FIG. 8B illustrates the modulator 80 in a firstactuated (or “driven”) state with the reflective layer 14 proximate tothe optical stack 16. The first actuated state may comprise the first,second, or third state. FIG. 8C illustrates the modulator 80 in a secondactuated (or “reverse driven”) state with the reflective layer 14proximate to the bus stack 82. The second actuated state may comprisethe first, second, or third state. The distances from the reflectivelayer 14 to the partially reflective layer in the optical stack 16 ineach of the relaxed state and the first and second actuated states, thefluid in the cavity 19, and properties of an insulating layer in theoptical stack 16 can influence the spectral reflectances of themodulator 80 in those states.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the reverse drivenstate of FIG. 8C can be achieved in a number of ways. In one embodiment,the reverse driven state is achieved through the use of an electrode orconductive layer in the bus stack 82 that can electrostatically pull thereflective layer 14 in the upward direction. In such an embodiment, themodulator 80 basically includes two interferometric modulatorspositioned symmetrically around a single movable reflective layer 14.This configuration allows each of the electrodes of the optical stack 16and the bus stack 82 to attract the reflective layer 14 in oppositedirections.

The materials used to produce the layers of the bus stack 82 can bedissimilar to the materials used to produce the optical stack 16. Forexample, the bus stack 82 does not need to transmit light. Additionally,if the conductive layer of the bus stack 82 is positioned beyond thereach of the reflective layer 14 in its deformed upward position, thenthe modulator 80 may or may not include an insulating layer between thereflective layer 14 and the conductive layer in the bus stack 82.

The voltages applied to the optical stack 16 to drive the reflectivelayer 14 from the relaxed state of FIG. 8A to the driven state of FIG.8B may be different than the voltage applied to the optical stack 16 todrive the reflective layer 14 from the reverse driven state of FIG. 8Cto the driven state of FIG. 8B. The voltages applied to the bus stack 82to drive the reflective layer 14 from the relaxed state of FIG. 8A tothe reverse driven state of FIG. 8C may be different than the voltageapplied to the bus stack 82 to drive the reflective layer 14 from thedriven state of FIG. 8B to the reverse driven state of FIG. 8C. Thevoltages applied to the bus stack 82 to drive the reflective layer 14from the relaxed state of FIG. 8A or the driven state of FIG. 8B to thereverse driven state of FIG. 8C may or may not be the same as thevoltages applied to the optical stack 16 to drive the reflective layer14 from the relaxed state of FIG. 8A or the reverse driven state of FIG.8C to the driven state of FIG. 8B. Such voltages can depend upon thedesired application and amounts of deflection, and can be determined byone of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of reflectance spectra for a multi-stateinterferometric modulator in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein. The spectral reflectance of the first state, depictedby the dashed line 102, is substantially yellow, the spectralreflectance of the second state, depicted by the dotted line 104, issubstantially cyan, and the spectral reflectance of the third state,depicted by the solid line 106, is substantially black. In order toproduce such spectra, the distance between the reflective layer 14 andthe optical stack 16 in FIG. 8A may be between about 250 and 260 nm(e.g., for first order cyan reflectance), between about 500 and 520 nm(e.g., for second order cyan reflectance), or between about 750 nm and780 nm (e.g., for third order cyan reflectance), and the distancebetween the reflective layer 14 and the optical stack 16 in FIG. 8C maybe between about 283 and 295 nm (e.g., for first order yellowreflectance), between about 565 and 590 nm (e.g., for second orderyellow reflectance), or between about 848 nm and 885 nm (e.g., for thirdorder yellow reflectance). Distances corresponding to higher orders arealso possible. It will be appreciated that the distances may depend onthe fluid in the cavity 19, properties of an insulating layer in theoptical stack 16, the overall thickness of the device, and the precisionof the deposition and removal processes used to manufacture the device.

In certain embodiments, the spectral reflectance of the first state issubstantially yellow, the spectral reflectance of the second state issubstantially blue, and the spectral reflectance of the third state issubstantially black. In order to produce such reflectances, the distancebetween the reflective layer 14 and the optical stack 16 in FIG. 8A maybe between about 220 and 250 nm (e.g., for first order bluereflectance), between about 440 and 500 nm (e.g., for second order bluereflectance), or between about 660 nm and 750 nm (e.g., for third orderblue reflectance), and the distance between the reflective layer 14 andthe optical stack 16 in FIG. 8C may be between about 283 and 295 nm(e.g., for first order yellow reflectance), between about 565 and 590 nm(e.g., for second order yellow reflectance), or between about 848 nm and885 nm (e.g., for third order yellow reflectance). Distancescorresponding to higher orders are also possible.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of filter elements 95 comprises atransparent material (e.g., glass, plastic, etc.) with a concentrationof dye or pigmentation corresponding to each filter element 95. In someembodiments, the plurality of filter elements 95 is about one-half asthick as a similar plurality of filter elements would be for a LCDdisplay using hybrid spatial-temporal color synthesis. In someembodiments, the plurality of filter elements 95 has about one-half asmuch concentration of dye or pigmentation as a similar plurality offilter elements would have in a LCD display using hybridspatial-temporal color synthesis. Suitable color filters are available,for example, from Toppan of Tokyo, Japan and from Brewer Science, Inc.of Rolla, Mo.

FIG. 11 is a chart plotting the spectral transmittance of example filterelements 95 versus wavelength, λ. A cyan filter element, depicted by thedotted line 112, substantially transmits light from about 430 to 530 nm.A magenta filter element, depicted by the dashed line 114, substantiallytransmits light from about 380 to 480 nm and from about 600 to 740 nm. Ayellow filter element, depicted by the solid line 116, substantiallytransmits light from about 500 to 740 nm.

In certain embodiments, the size and shape of each filter elementcorresponds to the size and shape of a corresponding interferometricmodulator (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12A). In someembodiments, the plurality of filter elements 95 forms a checkerboardpattern in which the first set of filter elements 96 alternates with thesecond set of filter elements 98 in two substantially perpendiculardirections (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 9). In some embodiments, theplurality of filter elements 95 forms a series of vertical rows in whichthe first set of filter elements 96 alternates with the second set offilter elements 98 in one direction (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 12A).

In certain embodiments, the shape of each filter element 96, 98 issubstantially rectangular (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 9). In someembodiments, the size and shape of each filter element corresponds tothe size and shape of a plurality of interferometric modulators (e.g.,as illustrated in FIGS. 12B and 12C). In such embodiments, a portion ofthe filter element is disposed in the optical path of an opticalmodulator such that it corresponds to each of the optical modulators inthe plurality of optical modulators. As such, a pixel may comprise apair of optical modulators and each having different correspondingfilter elements. As used herein, the term “corresponds” is a broad termincluding, but not limited to, having substantially the same dimensions.In some embodiments, the interferometric modulators 92, 94 and thecorresponding filter elements 96, 98 have other shapes, including, butnot limited to, square, triangular, trapezoidal, and polygonal.

FIGS. 13A through 13D illustrate an example display device 90 with aplurality of optical modulators (e.g., interferometric modulators 91) invarious states. The plurality of optical modulators 91 includes a firstset of optical modulators 92 and a second set of optical modulators 94.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D, the optical modulators92, 94 comprise a plurality of interferometric modulators including amovable reflective layer 14. The display device 90 comprises a pluralityof filter elements 95 including a first set of filter elements 96 havinga spectral transmittance of cyan and corresponding to the first set ofoptical modulators 92 and a second set of filter elements 98 having aspectral transmittance of magenta and corresponding to the second set ofoptical modulators 94. In FIG. 13A, the optical modulators 91 are all ina state having a spectral reflectance of black. For example, using themodulator of FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 91 is in an actuatedstate with the reflective layer 14 proximate to the optical stack 16.Regardless of the spectral transmittance of the corresponding filterelement, the pixels corresponding to all of the modulators 91 of FIG.13A appear black to an observer 99.

In FIG. 13B, the optical modulators 91 are in a state having a spectralreflectance of yellow. For example, using the modulator of FIGS. 8Athrough 8C, each modulator 91 is in a relaxed state. Light from a lightsource 93 transmitted through the first set of filter elements 96,reflected from the optical modulators 91, and again transmitted throughthe first set of filter elements 96 appears green to an observer 99.Light from a light source 93 transmitted through the second set offilter elements 98, reflected from the optical modulators 91, and againtransmitted through the second set of filter elements 98 appears red toan observer 99. In FIG. 13C, the optical modulators 91 are in a statehaving a spectral reflectance of blue. For example, using the modulatorof FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 91 is in an actuated state withthe reflective layer 14 proximate to the bus stack 82. Regardless of thespectral transmittance of the corresponding filter element, the pixelscorresponding to all of the modulators 91 of FIG. 13C appear blue to anobserver 99. In FIG. 13D, the optical modulators 91 are in variousstates with spectral reflectances of yellow, blue, and black. Thus, byselectively actuating particular optical modulators 91, the displaydevice 90 can produce an image with a pixel comprising green, red, blue,and black areas.

FIGS. 14A through 14D illustrate an example display device 90 with aplurality of optical modulators (e.g., interferometric modulators 91) invarious states. The plurality of optical modulators 91 includes a firstset of optical modulators 92 and a second set of optical modulators 94.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D, the optical modulators92, 94 comprise a plurality of interferometric modulators including amovable reflective layer 14. The display device 90 comprises a pluralityof filter elements 95 including a first set of filter elements 96 havinga spectral transmittance of green and corresponding to the first set ofoptical modulators 92 and a second set of filter elements 98 having aspectral transmittance of magenta and corresponding to the second set ofoptical modulators 94. In FIG. 14A, the optical modulators 91 are all ina state having a spectral reflectance of black. For example, using themodulator of FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 91 is in an actuatedstate with the reflective layer 14 proximate to the optical stack 16.Regardless of the spectral transmittance of the corresponding filterelement, the pixels corresponding to all of the modulators 91 of FIG.14A appear black to an observer 99.

In FIG. 14B, the optical modulators 91 are in a state having a spectralreflectance of yellow. For example, using the modulator of FIGS. 8Athrough 8C, each modulator 91 is in a relaxed state. Light from a lightsource 93 transmitted through the first set of filter elements 96,reflected from the optical modulators 91, and again transmitted throughthe first set of filter elements 96 appears green to an observer 99.Light from a light source 93 transmitted through the second set offilter elements 98, reflected from the optical modulators 91, and againtransmitted through the second set of filter elements 98 appears red toan observer 99. In FIG. 14C, the optical modulators 91 are in a statehaving a spectral reflectance of cyan. For example, using the modulatorof FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 91 is in an actuated state withthe reflective layer 14 proximate to the bus stack 82. Light from alight source 93 transmitted through the first set of filter elements 96,reflected from the optical modulators 91, and again transmitted throughthe first set of filter elements 96 appears green to an observer 99.Light from a light source 93 transmitted through the second set offilter elements 98, reflected from the optical modulators 91, and againtransmitted through the second set of filter elements 98 appears blue toan observer 99. In FIG. 14D, the optical modulators 91 are in variousstates with spectral reflectances of yellow, cyan, and black. Thus, byactuating particular optical modulators 91, the display device 90 canproduce an image with a pixel comprising green, red, blue, and blackareas. It will be appreciated that displays comprising opticalmodulators with other spectral reflectances and filter elements withother spectral transmittances are also possible.

In certain embodiments, the display device 90 is configured to produce afull color spectrum (i.e., displays devices that produce three or moreprimary colors suitable for rendering color images). A pair of opticalmodulators and a pair of filter elements with the appropriate spectralreflectances and spectral transmittances, respectively, can produce afull color spectrum with the appropriate spatial and/or temporalsynthesis. A plurality of optical modulators and a plurality of filterelements can thereby produce a color image. The following examples arenot intended to be limiting, and other combinations using primary,secondary, and other colors are also hereby disclosed.

FIGS. 15A through 15G illustrate an example embodiment of a portion of afull color display comprising a first pixel element 151 and a secondpixel element 152. Each pixel element 151, 152 comprises an opticalmodulator 153, 155, respectively, that can be switched between stateshaving spectral reflectances of yellow, blue, and black. The first pixelelement 151 includes a corresponding first filter element 154 with aspectral transmittance of magenta. The second pixel element 152 includesa second filter element 156 with a spectral transmittance of cyan. Thedisplay can use spatial and/or temporal color synthesis to produce afull color spectrum.

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict an embodiment of the formation of the colorwhite using spatial-temporal color synthesis of the first and secondpixel elements 151, 152. In FIG. 15A, the optical modulators 153, 155are in a state having a spectral reflectance of yellow. For example,using the modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 153, 155is in a relaxed state. Light from a light source 93 transmitted throughthe first filter element 154, reflected from the optical modulator 153,and again transmitted through the first filter element 154 appears redto an observer 99. Light from a light source 93 transmitted through thesecond filter element 156, reflected from the optical modulator 155, andagain transmitted through the second filter element 156 appears green toan observer 99. It will be appreciated that the display of red and greenin a single temporal field appears yellow to an observer 99. In anadjacent temporal field depicted in FIG. 15B, the optical modulator 155remains in a state having a spectral reflectance of yellow and theoptical modulator 153 is in a state having a spectral reflectance ofblue. For example, using the modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, themodulator 153 is in an actuated state with the reflective layer 14proximate to the bus stack 82. Light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 154, reflected from the opticalmodulator 153, and again transmitted through the first filter element154 appears blue to an observer 99. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the second filter element 156, reflected from theoptical modulator 155, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 156 continues to appear green to an observer 99. It will beappreciated that the display of blue and green in a single temporalfield appears cyan to an observer 99. Spatially and temporally mixingthe light with spectral reflectances of green, blue, and red cansynthesize white with the appropriate ratios. In some embodiments, theweighting coefficients of green, red, and blue are about 0.7152, 0.2126,and 0.0722, respectively. In some embodiments, the weightingcoefficients of green, red, and blue are about 0.587, 0.299, and 0.114,respectively.

FIGS. 15C through 15G depict the formation of certain other primarycolors in a single temporal field (e.g., in addition to the colorsyellow and cyan described above for FIGS. 15A and 15B, respectively). InFIG. 15C, the optical modulators (e.g., interferometric modulators) 153,155 are in a state having a spectral reflectance of black. For example,using the modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 153, 155is in an actuated state with the reflective layer 14 proximate to theoptical stack 16. When the optical modulator 153 is in a state having aspectral reflectance of black, light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 154 is substantially destructivelyreflected by the optical modulator 153, so the first pixel element 151appears black to an observer 99. When the optical modulator 155 is in astate having a spectral reflectance of black, light from a light source93 transmitted through the second filter element 156 is substantiallydestructively reflected by the optical modulator 155, so the secondpixel element 153 appears black to an observer 99. Thus, the display cansynthesize black.

In FIG. 15D, the optical modulator 153 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of black and the optical modulator 155 is in a state havinga spectral reflectance of yellow. When the optical modulator 153 is in astate having a spectral reflectance of black, light from a light source93 transmitted through the first filter element 154 is substantiallydestructively reflected by the optical modulator 153, so the first pixelelement 151 appears black to an observer 99. Light from a light source93 transmitted through the second filter element 156, reflected from theoptical modulator 155, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 156 appears green to an observer 99. Thus, the display cansynthesize green.

In FIG. 15E, the optical modulators 153, 155 are in a state having aspectral reflectance of blue. Light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 154, reflected from the opticalmodulator 153, and again transmitted through the first filter element154 appears blue to an observer 99. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the second filter element 156, reflected from theoptical modulator 155, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 156 appears blue to an observer 99. Thus, the display cansynthesize blue. It will be appreciated that the display can alsosynthesize blue if either the first optical modulator 153 or the secondoptical modulator 155 is in a state having a spectral reflectance ofblack.

In FIG. 15F, the optical modulator 153 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of yellow and the optical modulator 155 is in a state havinga spectral reflectance of black. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the first filter element 154, reflected from theoptical modulator 153, and again transmitted through the first filterelement 154 appears red to an observer 99. When the optical modulator155 is in a state having a spectral reflectance of black, light from alight source 93 transmitted through the second filter element 156 issubstantially destructively reflected by the optical modulator 155, sothe second pixel element 152 appears black to an observer 99. Thus, thedisplay can synthesize red.

In FIG. 15G, the optical modulator 153 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of yellow and the optical modulator 155 is in a state havinga spectral reflectance of blue. Light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 154, reflected from the opticalmodulator 153, and again transmitted through the first filter element154 appears red to an observer 99. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the second filter element 156, reflected from theoptical modulator 155, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 156 appears blue to an observer 99. Thus, the display cansynthesize magenta.

In accordance with color theory, various mixtures of red, green, andblue can be used to synthesize a full color spectrum. As an example,temporally mixing the green of FIG. 15D with the red of FIG. 15F canproduce orange. As another example, temporally mixing the green of FIG.15D, the blue of FIG. 15E, and the red of FIG. 15F can also producewhite. The component colors are preferably temporally mixed in less than1/60 seconds (approximately 16 milliseconds) such that the HVS cannotresolve the component colors.

FIGS. 16A through 16F illustrate an example embodiment of a portion of afull color display comprising a first pixel element 161 and a secondpixel element 162. Each pixel element 161, 162 comprises an opticalmodulator (e.g., an interferometric modulator) 163, 165, respectively,that can be switched between states having spectral reflectances ofyellow, cyan, and black. The first pixel element 161 includes acorresponding first filter element 164 with a spectral transmittance ofmagenta. The second pixel element 162 includes a second filter element166 with a spectral transmittance of green. The display can use spatialand/or temporal color synthesis to produce a full color spectrum.

FIGS. 16A and 16B depict an embodiment of the formation of the colorwhite using spatial temporal color synthesis of the first and secondpixel elements 161, 162. In FIG. 16A, the optical modulators 163, 165are in a state having a spectral reflectance of yellow. For example,using the modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, each modulator 163, 165is in a relaxed state. Light from a light source 93 transmitted throughthe first filter element 164, reflected from the optical modulator 163,and again transmitted through the first filter element 164 appears redto an observer 99. Light from a light source 93 transmitted through thesecond filter element 166, reflected from the optical modulator 165, andagain transmitted through the second filter element 166 appears green toan observer 99. It will be appreciated that the display of red and greenin a single temporal field appears yellow to an observer 99. In anadjacent temporal field depicted in FIG. 16B, the optical modulator 165remains in a state having a spectral reflectance of yellow and theoptical modulator 163 is in a state having a spectral reflectance ofcyan. For example, using the modulator 80 of FIGS. 8A through 8C, themodulator 163 is in an actuated state with the reflective layer 14proximate to the bus stack 82. Light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 164, reflected from the opticalmodulator 163, and again transmitted through the first filter element164 appears blue to an observer 99. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the second filter element 166, reflected from theoptical modulator 165, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 166 continues to appear green to an observer 99. It will beappreciated that the display of blue and green in a single temporalfield appears cyan to an observer 99. Spatially and temporally mixingthe light with spectral reflectances of green, blue, and red cansynthesize white with the appropriate ratios. In some embodiments, theweighting coefficients of green, red, and blue are about 0.7152, 0.2126,and 0.0722, respectively. In some embodiments, the weightingcoefficients of green, red, and blue are about 0.587, 0.299, and 0.114,respectively. It will also be appreciated that white may also beproduced if the optical modulator 165 was in a state having a spectralreflectance of cyan in either temporal field (i.e., the first pixelelement would appear green to an observer 99).

FIGS. 16C through 16F depict the formation of certain other primarycolors in a single temporal field (e.g., in addition to the colorsyellow and cyan described above for FIGS. 16A and 16B, respectively). InFIG. 16C, the optical modulators 163, 165 are in a state having aspectral reflectance of black. When the optical modulator 163 is in astate having a spectral reflectance of black, light from a light source93 transmitted through the first filter element 164 is substantiallydestructively reflected by the optical modulator 163, so the first pixelelement 161 appears black to an observer 99. When the optical modulator165 is in a state having a spectral reflectance of black, light from alight source 93 transmitted through the second filter element 166 issubstantially destructively reflected by the optical modulator 165, sothe second pixel element 162 appears black to an observer 99. Thus, thedisplay can synthesize black.

In FIG. 16D, the optical modulator 163 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of black and the optical modulator 165 is in a state havinga spectral reflectance of yellow. When the optical modulator 163 is in astate having a spectral reflectance of black, light from a light source93 transmitted through the first filter element 164 is substantiallydestructively reflected by the optical modulator 163, so the first pixelelement 161 appears black to an observer 99. Light from a light source93 transmitted through the second filter element 166, reflected from theoptical modulator 165, and again transmitted through the second filterelement 166 appears green to an observer 99. Thus, the display cansynthesize green. It will be appreciated that green may also be producedif the optical modulator 165 is in a state having a spectral reflectanceof cyan (i.e., the first pixel element would appear green to an observer99).

In FIG. 16E, the optical modulator 163 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of cyan and the optical modulator 165 is in a state having aspectral reflectance of black. Light from a light source 93 transmittedthrough the first filter element 164, reflected from the opticalmodulator 163, and again transmitted through the first filter element164 appears blue to an observer 99. When the optical modulator 165 is ina state having a spectral reflectance of black, light from a lightsource 93 transmitted through the second filter element 166 issubstantially destructively reflected by the optical modulator 165, sothe second pixel element 162 appears black to an observer 99. Thus, thedisplay can synthesize blue.

In FIG. 16F, the optical modulator 163 is in a state having a spectralreflectance of yellow and the optical modulator 165 is in a state havinga spectral reflectance of black. Light from a light source 93transmitted through the first filter element 164, reflected from theoptical modulator 163, and again transmitted through the first filterelement 164 appears red to an observer 99. When the optical modulator165 is in a state having a spectral reflectance of black, light from alight source 93 transmitted through the second filter element 166 issubstantially destructively reflected by the optical modulator 165, sothe second pixel element 162 appears black to an observer 99. Thus, thedisplay can synthesize red.

In accordance with color theory, various mixtures of red, green, andblue can be used to synthesize a full color spectrum. As an example,temporally mixing the green of FIG. 16D with the red of FIG. 16F canproduce orange. As another example, temporally mixing the green of FIG.16D, the blue of FIG. 16E, and the red of FIG. 16F can also producewhite.

The weighted coefficients of the colors or the example embodiments andother suitable embodiments may be optimized to increase resolutionand/or to decrease fixed pattern noise. For example, the opticalmodulator of the first pixel element may be in the first state for 76.3%of the time and in the second state for 23.7% of the time while theoptical modulator of the second pixel element is in the first state for100% of the time. Other proportions are also possible. For anotherexample, the area of the first filter element may have an area smallerthan the second filter element (e.g., between about 50% and 75% lessthan the area of the second filter element). FIG. 12D illustrates anembodiment in which the first set of filter elements 96 are larger thanthe second set of filter elements 98. Other proportions are alsopossible.

As described above, LCDs using spatial-temporal color synthesis requireblanking fields between illuminant transitions. Displays comprisingoptical modulators advantageously do not require blanking fields becausethe reflectance color is controllable at an individual sub-pixel level.For example, one sub-pixel may reflect blue at the same time an adjacentsub-pixel reflects yellow, as opposed to an LCD where adjacentsub-pixels are necessarily illuminated with the same illuminant at onetime. Elimination of blanking fields advantageously increases lightefficiency and reduces power consumption.

In certain embodiments, the light reflected by the optical modulatorscomes from an external ambient broadband light source. Examples ofambient broadband light sources include, but are not limited to,sunlight and artificial lighting (e.g., fluorescent or filament lightbulbs). In certain embodiments (e.g., the projection display describedbelow), the display comprises a light source or a plurality of lightsources. Optical modulator displays utilizing hybrid spatial-temporalcolor synthesis and comprising light sources may advantageously providebroadband light (e.g., from a metal halide lamp) or narrowband light(e.g., from an LED projection illuminator). In some embodiments,narrowband light sources provide better display color performance (e.g.,color saturation, color gamut).

The optical modulator displays utilizing hybrid spatial-temporal colorsynthesis described herein may also be integrated into a projectiondisplay. FIG. 17 illustrates a projection display 170 comprising aplurality of optical modulators and a plurality of filter elementssimilar to the display device 90. The projection display 170 furthercomprises a lamp 172, a condensing lens 174, a shaping lens 176, and aprojection lens 178. As described above, the lamp 172 may comprise abroadband light source (e.g., a metal halide lamp) or a plurality ofnarrowband light sources (e.g., LEDs). Other light sources are alsopossible. The lenses 174, 176, 178 may comprise plastic, glass, etc.,and are well known in the art. Such a projection display canadvantageously eliminate a color wheel disposed between the condensinglens 174 and the shaping lens 176 included in traditional projectiondisplays (e.g., DLP) because the optical modulators can perform colorseparation (i.e., by reflecting light with different spectralreflectances).

Various specific embodiments have been described above. Although theinvention has been described with reference to these specificembodiments, the descriptions are intended to be illustrative of theinvention and are not intended to be limiting. Various modifications andapplications may occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the true scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of generating an image, the method comprising: generating afirst color in a first sub-pixel of a pixel in a first temporal field;and generating a second color different than the first color in thefirst sub-pixel in a second temporal field without an interveningblanking field between the first temporal field and the second temporalfield.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a thirdcolor different than the first color in a second sub-pixel of the pixelin the first temporal field.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereingenerating the first color in the first sub-pixel comprises switching afirst optical modulator to one of a first state, a second state, and athird state, each state having a different spectral reflectance, andwherein generating the third color in the second sub-pixel comprisesswitching a second optical modulator to one of the first state, thesecond state, and the third state.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereingenerating the first color in the first sub-pixel comprises switchingthe first optical modulator to the first state and filtering lightmodulated by the first optical modulator with a first filter elementhaving a first spectral transmittance, and wherein generating the thirdcolor in the second sub-pixel comprises switching the second opticalmodulator to the first state and filtering light modulated by the secondoptical modulator with a second filter element having a second spectraltransmittance different than the first filter element.
 5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein generating the second color in the first sub-pixelcomprises switching the first optical modulator to another of the firststate, the second state, and the third state.
 6. The method of claim 3,wherein the first optical modulator has a smaller area than the secondoptical modulator.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the area of thefirst optical modulator is between about 50% and about 75% smaller thanthe area of the second optical modulator.
 8. The method of claim 2,further comprising generating the third color in the second sub-pixel inthe second temporal field.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprisinggenerating the second color in the second sub-pixel in the secondtemporal field.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the firstcolor in the first sub-pixel comprises switching a first opticalmodulator to a first state having a first spectral reflectance andwherein generating the second color in the first sub-pixel comprisesswitching the first optical modulator to a second state having adifferent spectral reflectance than the first state.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the first optical modulator is switchable to a thirdstate having a third spectral reflectance different from the first andsecond spectral reflectances, wherein the third spectral reflectance issubstantially black.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the firsttemporal field has a longer duration than the second temporal field. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first color comprisesreflecting light from a broadband light source and wherein generatingthe second color comprises reflecting light from the broadband lightsource.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first colorcomprises reflecting light from a narrowband light source and whereingenerating the second color comprises reflecting light from thenarrowband light source.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thenarrowband light source comprises a LED projection illuminator.
 16. Amethod of generating an image, the method comprising: generating a firstcolor in a first sub-pixel of a pixel during a first temporal field; andgenerating a second color different than the first color in the firstsub-pixel during a second temporal field immediately subsequent thefirst temporal field.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:generating a third color different than the first color in a secondsub-pixel of the pixel during the first temporal field; and generatingthe third color in the second sub-pixel during the second temporalfield.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: generating athird color different than the first color in a second sub-pixel of thepixel during the first temporal field; and generating the second colorin the second sub-pixel during the second temporal field.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein generating the first color in the first sub-pixelcomprises switching a first optical modulator to one of a first state, asecond state, and a third state, each state having a different spectralreflectance, and wherein generating the second color in the firstsub-pixel comprises switching the first optical modulator to another ofthe first state, the second state, and the third state.
 20. A method ofgenerating an image, the method comprising: generating a first color ina first sub-pixel of a pixel for a duration consisting of a firsttemporal field and a second temporal field; generating a second colordifferent than the first color in a second sub-pixel of the pixel in thefirst temporal field; and generating a third color different than thefirst and second colors in the second sub-pixel in the second temporalfield.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first temporal field hasa longer duration than the second temporal field.
 22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein generating the second color occurs before generatingthe third color.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein generating thefirst color in the first sub-pixel comprises switching a first opticalmodulator to one of a first state, a second state, and a third state,each state having a different spectral reflectance, wherein generatingthe second color in the second sub-pixel comprises switching a secondoptical modulator to one of the first state, the second state, and thethird state, wherein generating the third color in the second sub-pixelcomprises switching the second optical modulator to another of the firststate, the second state, and the third state.
 24. A device comprising: adriver controller configured to be connected to a display devicecomprising at least one pixel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels, eachsub-pixel responsive to signals by generating colors, the drivercontroller configured to generate a first signal and a second signal,wherein a first sub-pixel of the at least one pixel responds to thefirst signal by generating a first color during a first temporal fieldand responds to the second signal by generating a second color differentthan the first color during a second temporal field without anintervening blanking field between the first temporal field and thesecond temporal field.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the drivercontroller comprises an integrated circuit.
 26. The device of claim 24,wherein the driver controller is integrated with a processor as hardwareor software.
 27. The device of claim 24, wherein the driver controlleris integrated with an array driver as hardware.
 28. The device of claim24, wherein the driver controller comprises an interferometric modulatorcontroller.
 29. The device of claim 24, wherein the first temporal fieldhas a longer duration than the second temporal field.
 30. The device ofclaim 24, wherein the driver controller is configured to generate athird signal, wherein a second sub-pixel of the at least one pixelresponds to the third signal by generating a third color during thefirst temporal field and during the second temporal field, the thirdcolor different than the first and second colors.
 31. The device ofclaim 30, further comprising the display device, wherein the firstsub-pixel comprises a first interferometric modulator having a firststate, a second state, and a third state, each state having a differentspectral reflectance, and wherein the second sub-pixel comprises asecond interferometric modulator having the first state, the secondstate, and the third state.
 32. The device of claim 31, wherein thefirst and second signals are configured to switch the firstinterferometric modulator between the first state, the second state, andthe third state, and wherein the third signal is configured to switchthe second interferometric modulator between the first state, the secondstate, and the third state.
 33. The device of claim 31, furthercomprising: a first filter element corresponding to the first opticalmodulator; and a second filter element corresponding to the secondoptical modulator, the first filter element having a different spectraltransmittance than the second filter element.
 34. The device of claim24, further comprising the display device, wherein the first sub-pixelcomprises an interferometric modulator having a first state, a secondstate, and a third state, and wherein the first and second signals areconfigured to switch the interferometric modulator between the firststate, the second state, and the third state.
 35. A device comprising: adriver controller configured to be connected to a display devicecomprising at least one pixel comprising at least a first sub-pixel anda second sub-pixel, each sub-pixel responsive to signals by generatingcolors, the driver controller configured to generate a plurality ofsignals, the first sub-pixel responsive to the plurality of signals bygenerating a first color for a duration consisting of a first temporalfield and a second temporal field, the second sub-pixel responsive tothe plurality of signals by generating a second color different than thefirst color during the first temporal field and by generating a thirdcolor different than the first and second colors during the secondtemporal field.
 36. The device of claim 35, further comprising thedisplay device, wherein the first sub-pixel comprises a firstinterferometric modulator having a first state, a second state, and athird state, each state having a different spectral reflectance andwherein the second sub-pixel comprises a second interferometricmodulator having the first state, the second state, and the third state.37. The device of claim 36, wherein the plurality of signals areconfigured to switch the first interferometric modulator between thefirst state, the second state, and the third state and to switch thesecond interferometric modulator between the first state, the secondstate, and the third state.
 38. The device of claim 36, furthercomprising: a first filter element corresponding to the first opticalmodulator; and a second filter element corresponding to the secondoptical modulator, the first filter element having a different spectraltransmittance than the second filter element.
 39. The device of claim35, wherein the first sub-pixel has a smaller display area than thesecond sub-pixel.
 40. The device of claim 35, wherein the first temporalfield has a longer duration than the second temporal field.